During the FINA World Aquatics Championships, athletes whose governing body has been suspended are still allowed to compete under the FINA flag with the "country" designation as "Suspended Member Federation". In 2015, the Sri Lankan federation was suspended, but they competed as independent athletes under the FINA code. Since 2017, Kuwait, Kenya, and the Philippines have sent participants to the Aquatics Championships under the SMF code.
Due to the suspension of the Kuwait Swimming Association, Kuwaiti athletes participated as independent athletes at the 2017 World Aquatics Championships. The competition took place in Budapest, Hungary from 14 July to 30 July. Two male swimmers participated in three different events.
Two athletes from Kenya competed at the 2022 World Aquatics Championships in Budapest, Hungary from 18 June to 3 July. Each swimmer participated in two events.
Six athletes from the Philippines and four from Kenya competed at the 2023 World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan from 14 to 30 July.